Spring, 2017 - VOL. 22, NO. 2 Evan L. Heller, Editor/Publisher Steve DiRienzo, WCM/Contributor Ingrid Amberger, Webmistress

FEATURES 2 Ten Neat By Evan L. Heller

10 Become a -Ready Nation Ambassador! By Christina Speciale

12 Interested in CoCoRaHS? By Jennifer Vogt Miller

DEPARTMENTS

14 2017 Spotter Training Sessions

16 ALBANY SEASONAL SUMMARY

18 Tom Wasula’s WEATHER WORD FIND

19 From the Editor’s Desk

20 WCM Words

Northeastern StormBuster is a semiannual publication of the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Albany, New York, serving the weather spotter, emergency manager, cooperative observer, ham radio, scientific and academic communities, and weather enthusiasts, all of whom share a special interest or expertise in the fields of , hydrology and/or climatology. Non-Federal entities wishing to reproduce content contained herein must credit the National Weather Service Forecast Office at Albany and any applicable authorship as the source.

1 TEN NEAT CLOUDS

Evan L. Heller Meteorologist, NWS Albany

There exist a number of types based on genera as classified in the International . Each of these can also be sub-classified into one of several possible species. These can further be broken down into one of several varieties, which, in turn, can be further classified with supplementary features. This results in hundreds of different possibilities for cloud types, which can be quite a thrill for cloud enthusiasts. We will take a look at 10 of the rarer and more interesting clouds you may or may not have come across.

A. CLOUDS INDICATING TURBULENCE

1. Altocumulus – These are a species of mid-level clouds occurring from about 6,500 to 16,500 feet in altitude. They are very white and may take on the appearance of small battlements or jellyfish, usually containing both wispy and puffy parts. They are associated with moderate turbulence and a high mid-latitude , and when these clouds are observed during the morning hours, they are an indication of high instability and a good likelihood of late afternoon and early evening . When seen in the late afternoon, however, they foretell of a fair weather night. While not a particularly rare cloud, they are more commonly seen in the Northeast during the warmer months.

Altocumulus castellanus over Sacramento, California on the morning of August 12, 2014. Photo courtesy of NWS Sacramento, CA.

2 2. Kelvin-Helmholtz wave clouds – Also known as “fluctus” or “billow” clouds, these are a special variety of cloud, occurring with Cirrus, Altocumulus, Stratocumulus, Stratus, and occasionally Cumulus, and are most often associated with mountainous terrain. When seen, they typically stick around for only a few minutes, making them especially rare to see. This is a cloud that occasionally occurs over the Adirondacks, and is the result of two layers of winds traveling at sharply different velocities caused by the effect of friction by the terrain on the lower layer. This results in the formation of turbulent eddies, and the typical vertical swirl pattern seen in rows of these clouds. They are a fascinating sight.

Kelvin-Helmholtz Wave Clouds. Photo Courtesy of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR).

3. Lenticular clouds – Often referred to as “mountain wave clouds” or “standing lenticular” (SL), these bright, stand-out clouds can be a species of: low-level Stratocumulus (SCSL), when they are also known as rotor clouds, or; high-level cirrocumulus clouds (CCSL). But in the Northeast, they are most often associated with mid-level altocumulus (altocumulus lenticularis, or ACSL). Their appearance can vary from ‘subtle’ to ‘dramatic’, the former of which is the one most observed in our neck of the woods, and the latter of which is usually reserved for more mountainous regions. Lenticular clouds form when wind encounters an obstruction, most often a mountain, and is forced into strong upflow, eventually condensing into clouds near the cold mountaintop. It appears to remain stationary for long durations, but is actually being subject to rapid changes in appearance due to strong shear. The size and overall dimension of a cloud is dependent upon the wind speed and the size of the obstruction.

3 Lenticular clouds in less mountainous regions tend to be more subtle, have a shorter lifespan, and can completely change appearance in the matter of just a minute or two. Aircraft avoid these regions because of the turbulent eddies that form within the cloud region. Due to the shape of these clouds, they are often mistaken for UFOs.

Lenticular Rotor Cloud (SCSL) over Dublin, Ireland. Photo courtesy of Omnisource5.

Lenticular altocumulus (ACSL) of duplicatus variety near Albuquerque, New Mexico on December 21, 2010. Note the multiple layers. Photo courtesy of Ethan Nelson (Source: NWS Albuquerque, NM).

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4. Mammatus clouds – The “big mamma” of clouds, this is a species of cloud associated with several types of low-, mid- and upper-level clouds. Most of the time occurring in conjunction with thunderstorms, these dramatic bubbly- looking dark clouds result from the broad sinking of air through the cloud base, usually behind departing anvil thunderstorms. Contrary to popular belief, these clouds are almost never directly associated with tornadoes, and actually develop the vast majority of the time on the back side of a or , and are an indication of rapid stabilization of the . These clouds can appear in one of many shades of gray, brown, green, blue, or even red.

Mammatus clouds. Photo courtesy of NOAA.

B. MUSHROOM CLOUDS

These are the same clouds as produced by the atomic bomb, but are more commonly produced from volcanic eruptions, and are not classified as a genera of cloud as they are vertically-induced special clouds existing through a deep column. The condensation is the result of super-hot air from the volcano driven miles high into the super-cold upper levels of the atmosphere, where these clouds are typically driven globally and can persist for days or longer. Bigger volcanic eruptions have resulted in short-term global cooling; the 1815 eruption of Mount Tambora in the

5 Dutch East Indies is an extreme example that produced the “Year Without a ” in 1816, which, as it was, occurred during a period called ‘the little ice age”. In North America, food shortages, and in July were some of the repercussions of this eruption due to the massive cloud shield that obstructed the insolation needed to produce normal summer warmth. Mushroom clouds can be produced on an even smaller scale, such as with large localized fires or explosions, whether natural or man-made. Mushroom clouds often have a thunderstorm-like anvil where the air at the top disperses high up in the atmosphere. may also be produced. Also like a thunderstorm, there tends to be debris fallout; but this is from the solid particulate matter associated with the eruption or explosion, rather than from -derived or . As one can see in the image below, mushroom clouds can spread out at various altitudes, producing other cloud types.

Ascending cloud from Redoubt Volcano, Alaska, from an eruption on April 21, 1990. The mushroom-shaped plume rose from avalanches of hot pyroclastic flows that cascaded down the north flank of the volcano. Photo courtesy of The U.S. Geological Survey.

C. SPECIAL UPPER-ATMOSPHERIC CLOUDS

1. Nacreous clouds– Also known as “polar stratospheric cloud (PSC)” or “mother- of-pearl”, this rare cloud comes in two types. All typically portray iridescence. The first of these is broken down into three sub-types: type 1a contains large, irregular solid particles of nitric acid trihydrate (HNO3·3H2O); type 1b contains small supercooled liquid spheres of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) mixed with water, and; type 1c contains a mix of water-rich, solid nitric acid particles (not chemically bound with the water as in type 1a). Type 2 is more straight-forward, and consists of only water ice. This is probably the most common type. Nacreous

6 clouds occur at altitudes between 49,000 and 82,000 feet, just above the level of the highest cirrus clouds, and are best visible during civil twilight, or several hours after sunset, and mainly in . They are mostly limited to Scandinavia, Alaska and northern Canada, but can also form with mountain wave clouds (which they may somewhat resemble) at lower latitudes, although this is rare.

Type 2 nacreous cloud, brightly lit above darker tropospheric clouds around sunset. Photo courtesy of Mark R. Schoeberl, NASA GSFC.

2. Noctilucent clouds– Made up entirely of ice crystals, these highest of all clouds can be observed throughout the night because they exist way up in the upper atmosphere at altitudes of typically 47 to 53 miles, where diffuse sunlight reflects off the ice particles deep into the night. These clouds are as rare as the existence of ice particles at these altitudes that make them up. They bear a resemblance to the soft look of cirrus, and the color is generally white to pale blue, but may also tend toward red or green. Usually seen at latitudes from 50° to 65° in the Northern Hemisphere, they have very rarely been seen at even lower latitudes. They are a sight to behold!

Sign up for a spring session. Find your location. Listings beginning on page 13.

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Noctilucent clouds over Stockholm, Sweden, July 12, 2014. Photo courtesy of Kevin Cho.

D. ARCUS CLOUDS: DIRECTLY RELATED TO THUNDERSTORMS

1. Roll clouds- This first of the two main types of arcus clouds is a low, horizontal tube-shaped cloud associated with a thunderstorm gust front, or along a line of thunderstorms. It forms as the result of cool, sinking air at the leading edge of the front undercutting and lifting the warm air being drawn into the ’s updraft, which condenses and rolls with the shear of the winds. Unlike shelf clouds, which stay with the thunderstorm, roll clouds ‘roll out’ well ahead of the storm.

A roll cloud associated with a severe thunderstorm over Racine, Wisconsin. (Source: public domain)

8 2. Shelf clouds – Most often associated with thunderstorm gust fronts, this is a horizontal wedge-shaped arcus cloud. Unlike a roll cloud, it remains attached to the base of a portion of the cloud that is part of the thunderstorm. This is because they lack the amount of vertical shear associated with roll clouds. It usually takes a trained eye to be certain which of the two types of arcus clouds is being observed because young roll clouds can look very similar to shelf clouds.

A gust front shelf cloud on the leading edge of a -producing convective system on the evening of July 10, 2008 in Hampshire, Illinois. The derecho had formed around noon in southern Minnesota. Photo courtesy of Brittney Misialek (Source: NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center).

E. A “NEW” CLOUD:

Proposed in 2009 and classified in March 2017 as a new type (formerly undulatus asperatus), this cloud, resembling traditional undulatus, is actually a stable cloud type which has been observed to be unassociated with storm formations. Its appearance is dark, wild and foreboding, and although considered a rarity, chances are you’ve seen it at least a couple of times and possibly mistaken it for one of the various undulatus varieties. The sight of this cloud covering the sky is not something one soon forgets. It is an awesome sight yet it is as harmless as a mouse. In the U.S., they are actually most popular in the Plains following overnight or early- day thunderstorms, behind the system that brought them. Based on research, evidence suggested they were not actually related to undulatus, thus the new classification. It is the first new classification of a cloud type by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in more than 65 years. They are known as either Stratocumulus stratiformis opacus asperitas or Altocumulus stratiformis opacus asperitas, depending upon their altitude.

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Altocumulus stratiformis opacus asperitas over Shorewell Park, Australia on February 20, 2004. Photo courtesy of Gary McArthur. (Source: The International Cloud Atlas)

There are many other interesting and unusual cloud types, but these ten could easily contend for Top 10 status. If you would like to access a world of information about clouds, visit the on-line International Cloud Atlas at: https://www.wmocloudatlas.org/home.html

BECOME A WEATHER-READY NATION AMBASSADOR!

Christina Speciale Meteorologist, NWS Albany

Are you a leader in your community or work place? Do you want to ensure you and the ones you work with are ready for whatever Mother Nature throws your way? If so, consider becoming a Weather-Ready Nation (WRN) Ambassador! It is an initiative run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) aimed at improving the nation’s preparedness for, and resilience against, phenomenon, ranging from snow and ice to flash floods, and lightning, and everything in between. NOAA strives to recognize and collaborate with our core partners at the local, state and federal levels to unify our efforts in building a nation that is ready for, and

10 responsive to, all types of weather. Let’s join forces and help mitigate Mother Nature’s impacts together!

Becoming an ambassador is simple! All you need is to have a commitment to communicate Weather-Ready Nation messages to your stakeholders, engage and collaborate with NOAA employees, and educate others on weather preparedness and safety strategies. Of course, we want to hear from you the next time a weather hazard affects your area. Tell us how the Weather Ready Nation strategies improved your recovery time and minimized the impacts.

Keep in mind that NOAA is here to help you become an ambassador and will provide you with all the tools you need to become a weather leader in your community or work place, and an inspiration to others. You can expect plenty of outreach and educational content from us explaining weather hazard safety tips for both the warm and cold , and how to interpret watches, warnings and advisories issued by the National Weather Service. You’ll learn how to reduce your weather risks, and you’ll have an opportunity to work with us…your local National Weather Service Office here in Albany…to determine how we can reach the people in your community or organization and work towards a common goal of fulfilling the Weather-Ready Nation mission.

Ambassadors serve as crucial partners and are a vital piece of the larger-scale, national connecting hub of agencies including: emergency managers; city planners; members of the media; nonprofit organizations; school officials, and environmental groups; all working together to improve our national resiliency against extreme weather events. Become an ambassador at: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/com/weatherreadynation/amb_tou.html, or contact NWS Albany meteorologist Brian Montgomery at [email protected] if you have any questions.

11 INTERESTED IN CoCoRaHS?

Jennifer Vogt Miller Meteorologist, NWS Albany, NY

CoCoRaHS stands for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network. It was founded in 1998 by the Colorado Climate Center at Colorado State University after a severe flood affected Fort Collins the previous year.

CoCoRaHS is a network of volunteers of varying ages from across New York and the United States, Canada, and the Bahamas who collect data on a daily basis. This information is then used by several organizations and professionals across the country, such as the National Weather Service, State Climatology Offices, meteorologists, hydrologists, etc., to create maps and other educational tools necessary for the understanding of local and national climatology. Left: A 4-inch diameter rain gauge that CoCoRaHS observers use to collect rainfall. The large diameter allows a representative amount of precipitation to filter into the gauge so observers can record an accurate total for each event.

New York’s Volunteer Network The CoCoRaHS network of volunteer observers is essential for gathering representative data of precipitation in the state of New York, as well as across the country. New York’s network consists of approximately 550 active observers, with 77 active observers in Eastern New York. Below is a map of all the CoCoRaHS observers across New York, which also displays the CocoRaHS sights in our surrounding areas, including an additional 33 observers in our office’s four western New England counties.

You’re just a couple of pages away from…

SPRING 2017 SPOTTER TRAINING SESSIONS

SIGN UP TODAY!

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Locations of the CoCoRaHS observers across New York. Some of the counties in Eastern New York have only 2 or fewer CoCoRaHS observers.

When an observation is taken, the information can be submitted directly to the CoCoRaHS website or through the CoCoRaHS app. The information is then readily available for mapping, and if intense precipitation is reported, the information can be sent directly to the National Weather Service Office for meteorologists to use in conjunction with warnings or watches.

How to Join CoCoRaHS Simply visit www.cocorahs.org and click “Join” in the upper right-hand side of the page, and fill in your information. Soon after submitting your application, you will receive an automatic email from CoCoRaHS containing your login and password information along with a station ID. You will also receive a welcome email from your local coordinator which should include a CoCoRaHS observer’s guide and other training materials. The last step in becoming an observer is to purchase a rain gauge ($30) by visiting: http://www.weatheryourway.com/cocorahs/store.html.

13 SPRING 2017 SPOTTER TRAINING SESSIONS Courtesy of John Quinlan, Senior Forecaster, NWS Albany

4/3/17 700PM - 900 PM GO-TO-MEETING ALBANY, NY Mon. Go To Meeting Online Webinar Sign up and instructions will be sent to the email address you provide.

4/12/17 630PM -830 PM HERKIMER COUNTY GERMAN FLATTS, NY Wed. TOWN BUILDING 555 SR 5S

4/17/17 700PM - 900 PM COLUMBIA COUNTY CHURCHTOWN, NY Mon. FIRE HOUSE 2219 COUNTY ROAD 27

4/24/17 700PM - 900 PM WARREN COUNTY QUEENSBURY, NY Mon. UNO PIZZA 900 SR 9

4/25/17 700PM - 900 PM ULSTER COUNTY KINGSTON, NY Tues. HOSE #5 FIRE HOUSE 830 ULSTER AVE.

5/1/17 630PM -830 PM LITCHFIELD COUNTY WINSTED, CT Mon. SECOND FLOOR BLUE ROOM 338 MAIN ST. ENTER THROUGH POLICE DEPARTMENT MAIN ENTRANCE

5/2/17 700PM - 900 PM BENNINGTON COUNTY MANCHESTER CENTER, VT Tues. EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER UPSTAIRS 6041 MAIN ST.

5/3/17 700PM - 900 PM BERKSHIRE COUNTY PITTSFIELD, MA Wed. BERKSHIRE MEDICAL CENTER AUDITORIUM 725 NORTH STREET

5/4/17 600PM -800 PM GREENE COUNTY CAIRO, NY Thu. COMMUNITY ROOM CAIRO PUBLIC LIBRARY 15 RAILROAD AVE.

5/8/17 700PM - 900 PM SARATOGA COUNTY WILTON, NY Mon. WILTON EMS STATION 1 HARRAN LANE

14 5/9/17 630PM - 830 PM WINDHAM COUNTY TOWNSHEND, VT Tues. GRACE COTTAGE HOSPITAL HEINS BUILDING 133 GRAFTON RD ON ROUTE 35

5/10/17 700PM - 900 PM WASHINGTON COUNTY FORT EDWARD, NY Wed. MUNICIPAL CENTER BUILDING B TRAINING ROOM 1 IN THE BASEMENT 383 BROADWAY 5/11/17 700PM - 900 PM DUTCHESS COUNTY POUGHKEEPSIE, NY Thu. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICE TRAINING ROOM 113 392 CREEK RD.

5/12/17 730PM - 930 PM ALBANY COUNTY BETHLEHEM, NY Fri. BETHLEHEM TOWN HALL 445 DELAWARE AVE.

5/15/17 700PM - 900 PM HAMILTON COUNTY LAKE PLEASANT, NY Mon. LAKE PLEASANT FIRE DEPARTMENT CR11/SOUTH SHORE RD.

5/16/17 700PM - 900 PM RENSSELAER COUNTY HOOSICK FALLS, NY Tues. NORTH HOOSICK FIRE DEPARTMENT 22106 SR 22

5/17/17 700PM - 900 PM FULTON COUNTY JOHNSTOWN, NY Wed. FULTON COUNTY OFFICE COMPLEX EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER IN THE BACK 2712 SR 29

5/18/17 700PM - 900 PM MONTGOMERY COUNTY FULTONVILLE, NY Thu. MONTGOMERY COUNTY EMO PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY 200 CLARK DRIVE

5/22/17 700PM - 900 PM SCHOHARIE COUNTY COBLESKILL, NY Mon. MOSA ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING 2783 SR 7

6/9/17 700PM - 900 PM ADVANCED SESSION GO-TO-MEETING Fri. Go To Meeting Online Webinar Sign up and instructions will be sent to the email address you provide.

6/12/17 700PM - 900 PM ADVANCED SESSION GO-TO-MEETING Mon. Go To Meeting Online Webinar Sign up and instructions will be sent to the email address you provide.

15 ALBANY SEASONAL CLIMATE SUMMARY Evan L. Heller, Climatologist

Records or values of note highlighted in yellow.

STATS DEC JAN FEB SEASON Average High Temperature/Departure from Normal 37.7°/+1.9° 37.1°/+6.5° 42.7°/+8.1° 39.2°/+5.6° Average Low Temperature/Departure from Normal 23.0°/+1.8° 24.0°/+9.5° 23.9°/+6.6° 23.6°/+5.9° Mean Temperature/ Departure From Normal 30.3°/+1.8° 30.6°/+8.0° 33.3°/+7.4° 31.4°/+5.8° High Daily Mean Temperature/Date 43.5°/1st 49.0°/12th 57.5°/24th Low Daily Mean Temperature /Date 11.0°/16th 12.5°/9th 13.0°/10th Highest Temperature reading/Date 50°/1st 54°/12th 74°/24th Lowest Temperature reading/Date 1°/16th 4°/9th 3°/10th Lowest Maximum Temperature reading/Date 21°/16th 21°/7th & 9th 23°/10th Highest Minimum Temperature reading/Date 37°/1st 44°/12th 41°/23rd & 24th Total Precipitation/Departure from Normal 1.75”/-1.18” 3.13”/+0.54” 2.85”/+0.65” 7.73”/+1.26” Total Snowfall/Departure from Normal 12.1”/-1.6” 4.6”/-13.0” 22.2”/+9.8” 38.9”/-4.8” Maximum Precipitation/Date 0.29”/18th 1.08”/24th 0.71”/25th Maximum Snowfall/Date 2.4”/12th & 17th 1.7”/31st 11.2”/9th Table 1

NORMALS, OBSERVED DAYS & DATES NORMALS & OBS. DAYS DEC JAN FEB SEASON NORMALS High 35.8° 30.6° 34.6° 33.6° Low 21.2° 14.5° 17.3° 17.7° Mean 28.5° 22.6° 25.9° 25.6° Precipitation 2.93” 2.59” 2.20” 7.72” Snow 13.7” 17.6” 12.4” 43.7” OBS TEMP. DAYS High 90° or above 0 0 0 0/90 Low 70° or above 0 0 0 0/90 High 32° or below 6 8 5 19/90 Low 32° or below 26 22 24 72/90 Low 0° or below 0 0 3 3/90 OBS. PRECIP DAYS Days T+ 25 26 22 73/90/81% Days 0.01”+ 14 13 9 30/90/40% Days 0.10”+ 7 6 4 17/90/19% Days 0.25”+ 3 5 4 12/90/13% Days 0.50”+ 0 2 4 4/90/7% Days 1.00”+ 0 1 0 1/90/1% Table 2a NOTABLE TEMP, PRECIP & SNOW DATES DEC JAN FEB Major Snow Event - - 12.2” (9th-10th) Table 2b

RECORDS ELEMENT DECEMBER None - - Table 3a

ELEMENT JANUARY Daily High Mean Temperature | Previous Record/Year 49.0°/12th 45.0°/1885 Daily High Minimum Temperature | Previous Record/Year 44°/12th 36°/2013 Top 10 Warmest Mean Maximum Januaries Value/Rank | Remarks 24.0°/#10 tie Daily Maximum Precipitation Value/Date | Previous Record/Year 1.08”/24th 0.94”/1923 Daily Maximum Wind Speed Value/Direction/Date | Previous Record/Direction/Year 50 mph/S/11th 49 mph/W/1990 Table 3b

16 ELEMENT FEBRUARY Daily Maximum Temperature Value/Date | Previous Record/Year 69°/23rd 62°/1984 Daily Maximum Temperature Value/Date | Previous Record/Year 74°/24th 65°/1985 Daily Maximum Temperature Value/Date | Previous Record/Year 70°25th 67°/1976 Daily High Mean Temperature | Previous Record/Year 55.0°/23rd 48.0°/1981 Daily High Mean Temperature | Previous Record/Year 57.5°24th 53.5°/1985 Daily High Mean Temperature | Previous Record/Year 53.5°/25th 47.5°/1891 Top 10 Warmest Februaries Value/Rank | Remarks 33.3°/#3 - Top 10 Warmest Mean Maximum Februaries Value/Rank | Remarks 42.7°/#2 - Top 10 Warmest Mean Minimum Februaries Value/Rank | Remarks 23.9°/#3 - Daily Maximum Wind Speed Value/Direction/Date | Previous Record/Direction/Year 43 mph/W/6th 41 mph/W/2011 Top 100 All-Time Snowiest Months Value/Rank | Remarks 22.2”/#79 tie

Table 3c

ELEMENT WINTER None - - Table 3d

MISCELLANEOUS DECEMBER Average Wind Speed/Departure from Normal 8.8 mph/+0.3 mph Peak Wind/Direction/Date 43 mph/WNW/30th Windiest Day Average Value/Date 17.1 mph/18th Calmest Day Average Value/Date 2.8 mph/7th # Clear Days 0 # Partly Cloudy Days 20 # Cloudy Days 11 Dense Dates (code 2) 17th & 29th Thunder Dates (code 3) none Sleet Dates (code 4) none Hail Dates (code 5) none Dates (code 6) none Table 4a

JANUARY Average Wind Speed/Departure from Normal 8.1 mph/-0.6 mph Peak Wind/Direction/Date 50 mph/S/11th Windiest Day Average Value/Date 16.4 mph/11th Calmest Day Average Value/Date 1.6 mph/2nd # Clear Days 0 # Partly Cloudy Days 18 # Cloudy Days 13 Dense Fog Dates (code 2) 4th, 19th, 21st & 22nd Thunder Dates (code 3) none Sleet Dates (code 4) none Hail Dates (code 5) none Freezing Rain Dates (code 6) 24th Table 4b

FEBRUARY Average Wind Speed/Departure from Normal 9.4 mph/+0.3 mph Peak Wind/Direction/Date 45 mph/W/25th Windiest Day Average Value/Date 20.0 mph/16th Calmest Day Average Value/Date 3.3 mph/12th # Clear Days 1 # Partly Cloudy Days 19 # Cloudy Days 8 Dense Fog Dates (code 2) 9th & 12th Thunder Dates (code 3) 25th Sleet Dates (code 4) 7th & 15th Hail Dates (code 5) none Freezing Rain Dates (code 6) 7th Table 4c

17 WEATHER WORD FIND

by Tom Wasula Each word will be found in any one of 8 directions (vertical, horizontal or diagonals/forwards or backwards) The solution to this puzzle will be provided in the fall issue.

18 Winter ’16-‘17 Issue

From the Editor’s Desk

This is the first semiannual issue of Northeastern StormBuster, now a publication issued in spring and fall only. There are some changes; my climate summary has become part of the Departments section, as it has been a regular part of StormBuster for many years. Also, because we offer spotter training sessions in spring and fall, we are attempting to make the SKYWARN sessions a regular part of each issue; so it, too, has been added to the Departments section.

In this issue, we open with a look at 10 very interesting clouds, one of which was classified just one day after I thought I was finished writing the article. Then, we provide you with an opportunity to become both a Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador, and a member of the CoCoRaHS community of observers, with feature articles contributed by two of our new staff members here at the Albany National Weather Service. We hope you will

19 enjoy our slightly revised format as much as you will the warmer weather ahead. See you in fall!

WCM Words Steve DiRienzo Warning Coordination Meteorologist, NWS Albany

The National Weather Service (NWS) has a long history of partnerships with citizens who provide environmental data important to observing and forecasting weather and river conditions. The NWS Cooperative Observing Program dates back to 1890 and is one of the original “Citizen Science” programs.

The NWS continues to depend on support from the general public in two key programs: SKYWARN Spotters and Cooperative Observers. In both these programs, volunteers provide vital, real-time observational data. We are always looking for additional storm spotters and observers of the weather. With today’s technology, it is super easy to report your observations.

SKYWARN storm spotters form the Nation's first line of defense against severe weather. The efforts of these volunteers have given communities the precious gift of time--seconds and minutes that can help save lives. They do this by providing ground truth information that helps confirm what NWS meteorologists see on WSR 88-D Radar scans and satellite imagery.

CoCoRaHS observers generally record precipitation daily, and electronically send those reports daily to the NWS and the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC). CoCoRaHS observers are not required to take any tests, but there is free online training available.

Hopefully we’ll see you at one of our spring SKYWARN training classes. A list of dates and times is above. If you can’t make it to one, that’s OK because we are offering a couple of them online in real time. If you want to get involved in citizen science, join CoCoRaHS. More information on CoCoraHS can be found at: https://www.cocorahs.org/.

Here at the National Weather Service, we strive to be the source of unbiased, reliable and consistent weather information. We’re here to answer your weather and water questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you have concerns, please call us. If you have comments on Northeastern StormBuster, or any of the operations of the National Weather Service, please let me know at [email protected].

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